NC State Wolfpack drops FSU 72-63

Well done.

After a grueling 10 day stretch where North Carolina State (13-6,4-2) faced three ranked opponents in Virgina, Duke and UNC, the Pack took to the road for, as crazy it sounds, a break in facing Florida State (9-9,1-4). Considering the Wolfpack went 1-2 during that difficult stretch, ANY opponent without an All-American, Hall of Fame Coach or a favorite to win the conference was a welcome sight.

The game, played before 8,675 fans at Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Florida, pitted two teams in need of a win in the worst way. Ordinarily it would be foolish to consider any ACC road game a plus, but in this case with Leonard Hamilton’s team reeling from two consecutive road losses (Syracuse and Pittsburgh), the Seminoles seemed ripe for defeat. What the Pack got instead was a wounded cat backed into a corner trying to fight its way out. Fortunately for the Wolfpack, Florida State could not and was beaten 72-63.

This NC State team has been awfully fun to watch. Each week we bear witness to some kind of team growth; whether it is maturation, experience, situational awareness or just plain confidence. Today, the Wolfpack faced adversity when sophomore point guard Anthony “Cat” Barber did not play due to a death in his family. Freshman Cody Martin got the start and Trevor Lacey took over point guard responsibilities for much of the game . Lacey, the team’s best player, always seems to rise to the occasion for just about any situation. Depended upon to fill the scoring void left when TJ Warren bolted for the NBA, Lacey has done an admirable job. Lacey averages 17 points per game and is one of the better rebounding guards in the league. Lacey scored a game high 17 points in the victory.

Jan 17, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Caleb Martin (14) dribbles during the second half of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

HALFTIME: NC State 42 – Florida State 30

In the second half FSU made a run to tie the game at 60-60 with 4:00 minutes remaining. On the ensuing possession, NC State attempted multiple unsuccessful shots and grabbed the resulting rebounds. With both teams exhausted, Wolfpack coach Mark Gottfried called a time out to regroup. Out of the time out, the Pack executed a perfect baseline screen as Ralston Turner nailed a 3-pointer to go up 63-60. The Wolfpack would never look back.